On June 5th, it was a beautiful spring day; the sun was shining and the sky a clear blue. Upon angel’s wings our beloved went home to paradise.

Velma Lee Mitchell Jackson was born on October 26, 1942 in Kildare, Texas to CJ Sr. deceased- June 1942 and Annie Lee Daniels Mitchell. Velma, the youngest of nine children attended school in Kildare at Perfection School through her 11th grade year and graduated from Fairview High School, Linden, Texas in 1959 at the age of 16. She attended Bishop College in Marshall, Texas for two years and one semester in Dallas, Texas, after the school moved.

Velma married Billie Ray Jackson, who she met when she was 7 years old, on June 12, 1961. Five children were born to this union. After moving back to Texas in 1969 from Michigan, she attended Texarkana College and received a certificate and license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. After moving to the Pacific Northwest, Velma attended Columbia Basin College, graduating in 1989 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She was a Registered Nurse. Velma worked in hospitals, nursing homes, with home health agencies, and in physician’s offices. Her favorite of those areas was Geriatrics Nursing home care. Velma served on the board of directors for Benton Franklin Council on Aging and was a member of the Washington State Nursing Association WSNA

Velma confessed he love for God and united with St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 7. She served as secretary of Sunday school and Baptist Training Union BTU, and as teacher of the young adult women’s Sunday school class. Velma united with Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1984. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir and active with the Senior Mission I, serving as teacher of the bible lesson and later becoming president. Velma was responsible for monthly contact with Coyote Ridge Correctional Facility in the Prison Ministry through sending bulletins and other literature to the chaplain for the inmates.

Velma’s favorite past time was singing and she did so beautifully. She was instrumental in spreading the word of God through music, song, and as a soloist. She was a charter member of the Young Christian Choir at St John serving as its first secretary and later served several years as president. The Choir was later renamed St John Inspirational Choir. During her presidency in 1993-94 Velma was elected President Emeritus. She was also a member of the group “Generations” A.K.A “The Generations Trio” with Daphne and Tashene’. She and her son Bryan worked together in the Pacific Northwest Chapter of GMWA where she was Eastern Washington’s representative for the Washington/Oregon chapter.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, CJ Sr. and Annie Lee Mitchell, two sons Cleophus Lynn and Bryan Ray Jackson, one sister Annette Louise Montgomery, and four brothers, Earnest, Cicero, William, and Calvin Mitchell.

Velma leaves with love, sweet memories and in God’s care: One daughter Daphne George Block of Kennewick, WA, two sons Edwin Jackson of Sacramento, CA and Todd Jackson of Kennewick, WA. One sister Emma Peoples of Richland, WA, two brothers CJ Bernice Mitchell Jr. of Richland, WA and Richard Ruth Mitchell of Albuquerque NM. Six grandchildren, Christopher Jackson, Tashene’ Brandon Ray, Jason Jackson, Terrance Jackson, though not by blood yet in her heart Shonte’ and George Block Jr. Ten great-grandchildren Anthony, Tiandra, Nevaeh, Chaunte’via, Christopher Jr., Alliviah, Jaliyah, Elexus, Precious, and Fred Jr., the love of her life, special friend and ever-present companion “Papa” Edward L. Wallace and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Velma's Life will be held at Morning Star Baptist Church, 631 S. Douglas, Pasco WA, on June 26, 2010, at 1:00pm.